Ms. Feng Zuoru Passed Away in Tianjin

Ms. Feng Zuoru, a Falun Gong practitioner from Xiditou Village of the Beichen District in Tianjin was held in a labour camp for three years. She was tortured and suffered a severe relapse of diabetes while in custody. She passed away on August 8th, 2008.

Feng Zuoru, 55, was illiterate. Her husband died when she was in her early 30s, and she shouldered the responsibility of raising their son and daughter. Her health was quite poor before the children entered adulthood. Falun Gong cured her of severe diabetes after she began the practice in 1998, and she was able to work again. Falun Gong gave her a broader mindset and changed her world view for the better. She was so grateful toward Falun Gong that she told everyone how wonderful the practice is.

After the persecution began, Chinese Communist Party officials arrested her in 2001 when she distributed Falun Gong materials. They sentenced her to three years of forced labour without trial. She persisted in her belief at the Banqiao Labour Camp in Tianjin, and the authorities sent her to the Strictly Controlled Division, where they physically and verbally assaulted her. The abuse was around-the-clock and went on until she suffered a relapse of diabetes. The authorities ignored her condition and instead starved her. In addition, they forced her to do heavy manual labour in a toxic environment. The detainees frequently worked deep into the night.

Some detained Falun Gong practitioners refused to do forced labour in July 2002. The officials retaliated by making them sit on tiny stools, restricting their toilet access and telling them to relieve themselves in the cell. Feng Zuoru ran out of the room once after being told she was not allowed to use the toilet. Guard Zhen called Feng to the division office, where division head Song Yanzhu threatened her. Feng asked, "Why would you not let us use the toilet?" Song Yanzhu swore at her in response. Guards Liu Chunyan and Zhao and division head Song Yanzhu ordered practitioners Feng Zuoru, Zhao Dewen and a few others to stand in the room, and the practitioners refused. The officials then began beating them. Guards Kou Na and Yin Changzhang instructed inmates to torture practitioner Zhao Dewen and force-feed him with unknown substances, which eventually resulted in his death on June 3rd, 2003.

Feng Zuoru went home after three years. Her daughter feared the Party and would not let her have any contact with other practitioners. Feng Zuoru's diabetes worsened, and she suffered a stroke in May 2006, which left her paralysed. She eventually suffered total blindness and passed away on August 8th, 2008.

Chinese version available at http://minghui.org/mh/articles/2008/9/3/185223.html